Mary B Spires Watercolor & Art Stuff

8" x 10" Oil on Board This painting proves you need to paint from life! I sat this still life up in the Pumfrey's afternoon class....I love all the reflections in  the silver bowl.....I've been studying a DVD by Patricia Moran. She doesn't draw the subject on the surface, she blocks in masses of color......as soft as you can for as long as you can. I've learned sooooo much, about getting a good start that will create a great finish.......the ampersand gessoed board that I have been using makes the brush strokes show without using a great amount of paint.

Apple Still Life Set Up  While surfing You Tube a few months ago I found a video by Impressionist Jerry Fresia.  Of couse I had to purchase his book from Blurb.  It's a great book and I have read it cover to cover several times.  He really breaks it down how to paint like the impressionist.  Today was my day to try it.  Above is the set up.  He has 5 stages and 10 steps.  "Scumbling" Once you decide on composition and do the sketch you "scumble" your darks and mid tones.  In this stage you leave the white of the canvas open. Apples 8" x 10" Final

10 x 8 Oil on Canvas Board Last year I was lucky enough to see a demo by David Leffel. I am total hooked on Chiaroscuro Style painting. "Chiaroscuro" literally means light/dark. In Chiaroscuro painting, your eye follows the light. The light gives the picture its flow-it takes the eye from one place to another, and the shadows structure the painting. Quoted from Oil Painting Secrets from a Master, by Linda Cateura.

6" x 6" Oil on Gesso Board This was a challenge to get the shape of the vase correct....... it's still isn't quite right.....Oh, my!